Transmitting stacked aerial

ABSTRACT

A transmitting stacked aerial comprising a current-conducting cylindrical support and tiers comprising current-energized radiators. In each tier, radiators are arranged equidistantly along at least some portion of the periphery of the cross-section of the support and are radially oriented relative to the surface thereof. Radiators in each tier are offset in azimuth relative to those of each next tier through a preset angle and are energized with currents of an equal phase, consecutively shifted by 90* from tier to tier. Radiators in each tier are offset in aximuth relative to those in each next tier through an angle of psi /4 ( psi being an angle between adjacent radiators in the same tier). The angle psi is less than an angle Beta ((2 lambda o/D) . 57.3)*, where D is a diameter of the support and lambda is the mid-band wavelength. Radiators in each tier are consecutively offset in azimuth relative to those in the next tier through said angle of psi /4. The radiators are energized with currents of an equal phase, consecutively shifted in one direction by 90* from tier to tier. In another embodiment, a transmitting stacked aerial also comprises an additional tier of radiators arranged in the middle of the radiating portion of the aerial. This additional tier is designed to rule out troughs in the radiation pattern of the aerial in the vertical plane and is arranged symmetrically with respect to the first and last tiers. Additional radiators are arranged equidistantly along the periphery of the cross-section of the aerial support, with an angle Sigma between adjacent additional radiators being less than an angle gamma (( lambda 0/2D . 57.3)*. Additional radiators are energized with currents of an equal phase, shifted by an angle of 90*, through four radiators. All concerning the second embodiment only holds true with an even number of main tiers.

United States Patent [191 Truskanov et al.

[ Aug. 13, 1974 TRANSMITTING STACKED AERIAL [22] Filed: Oct. 15, 1973[2]] Appl. No.: 406,615

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No.380,227, July 18, l973, abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No.264,407, June 15, 1972, abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No.40,960, May 27, 1970, abandoned.

521 U.S.Cl 343/833, 343/853, 343/890 51 Int. Cl. ..H0lq21/00 [58] Fieldof Search 343/796, 797, 798,799,

[56] References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 544,401 1/1956Italy 343/800 Primary Examiner-Eli Lieberman Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Holman & Stern [57] ABSTRACT A transmitting stacked aerialcomprising a currentconducting cylindrical support and tiers comprisingcurrent-energized radiators. In each tier, radiators are arrangedequidistantly along at least some portion of the periphery of thecross-section of the support and are radially oriented relative to thesurface thereof. Radiators in each tier are offset in azimuth relativeto those of each next tier through a preset angle and are energized withcurrents of an equal phase, consecutively shifted by 90 from tier totier. Radiators in each tier are offset in aximuth relative to those ineach next tier through an angle of 111/4 (it: being an angle betweenadjacent radiators in the same tier). The angle ll: is less than anangle ,8=[(2)\0/D) 57.3], where D is a diameter of the support and A isthe mid-band wavelength. Radiators in each tier are consecutively offsetin azimuth relative to those in the next tier through said angle ofill/4. The radiators are energized with currents of an equal phase,consecutively shifted in one direction by 90 from tier to tier.

In another embodiment, a transmitting stacked aerial also comprises anadditional tier of radiators arranged in the middle of the radiatingportion of the aerial. This additional tier is designed to rule outtroughs in the radiation pattern of the aerial in the vertical plane andis arranged symmetrically with respect to the first and last tiers.Additional radiators are arranged equidistantly along the periphery ofthe cross-section of the aerial support, with an angle 2 betweenadjacent additional radiators being less than an angle 'y={()t0/2D57.3].

Additional radiators are energized with currents of an equal phase,shifted by an angle of 90, through four radiators. All concerning thesecond embodiment only holds true with an even number of main tiers.

8 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAUB 13 m4 SHEET nu nr 10PATENTEDAus 13 m4 SHEET 08 0F 10 10 M m M M 0 y 1 J PATENTEDAUG 13 m4sum mar 10 PATENTEUAUG 1 3 m4 3. 829.864

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TRANSMI'I'IING STACKED AERIAL The present application is acontinuation-in-Part of our co-pending application, Ser. No. 380,227filed July 18, 1973 which, in turn, is a continuation of application,Ser. No. 264,407 filed June 15, 1972, which application, in turn, is acontinuation of application, Ser. No. 40,960 filed on May 27, 1970. Allprior applications are now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to aerials andmore particularly to transmitting stacked aerials used for TV and VHF-FM broadcasts.

Known are recently developed transmitting TV aerials withhorizontal-tangential radiators arranged around the aerial support (cf.US. Pat. No. 3,329,959). In such aerials, radiators are adjusted throughchanging the geometry thereof (the length, diameter and the shape ofradiators end face surfaces) and through changing a distance between aradiator and the support (reflector). This, however, changes theradiators partial pattern, which accounts for a non-uniform radiationpattern of the aerial as a whole. It should also be taken intoconsideration that in order to obtain a negligibly non-uniform radiationpattern in the horizontal plane with supports of differentcross-sections, use has to be made of radiators with a diffent partialpattern width.

As a result, it is very difficult, using horizontaltangential radiators,to obtain a high degree of adjustment of radiators with the power linein combination with a negligible degree of non-uniformity of theradiation pattern of the aerial. Even if this result is obtained with acertain cross-section (diameter) of the support, it is no longer thecase with another cross-section (diameter).

ln order to make the horizontal plane radiation pattern lessnon-uniform, in some stacked aerials radiators of adjacent tiers aredisplaced relative to one another by a certain angle. This applies, forexample, to aerials described in ltalian Pat. Nos. 527,649 and 544,401,in British Pat. No. 936,029 and in FRG Pat. No. 1,147,993.

Aerials built in accordance with the above patents are marked by thefollowing distinguishing features:

adjacent tiers are turned with respect to one another through a certainangle, said angle of the turn of the adjacent tiers being equal to(ill/2, where ll! is an angle between adjacent radiators in the sametier;

radiators in each tier are energized according to the rotating fieldprinciple, the phase of currents being displaced from tier to tier by anangle equal to that between radiators in a tier;

radiators in adjacent tiers are energized with the current phase beingdisplaced at a certain angle, said phase displacement angle of currentsenergizing radiators of adjacent tiers being equal to that of theiroffest in azimuth, i.e. it is equal to 111/2;

The direction of said turn of tiers changes consecutively from tier totier to the opposite, so that in each other tier the arrangement ofradiators is repeated;

The direction of said current phase displacement of radiators inadjacent tiers changes to the opposite from tier to tier, so that ineach other tier the phases of the Aerials built according to citedpatents employ supports of small cross-sections, when the perimeter ofthe cross-section of the support is less that the wavelength and when itmay be assumed that said energizing of radiators in each tier withcurrents of reverse phases according to the rotating field principleensures alteration of the phase of the field according to the linearlaw, with the phase characteristic slope equal to unity.

in a number of instances, the use of aerials of the above type does notlead to the desired effect, for example, when an aerial is mounted upona support with a large cross-section, whose perimeter is either equal toor even exceeds the wavelength.

Further development of aerial engineering has led to the development ofa transmitting stacked aerial with radiators mounted upon the supportand radially oriented with respect to its surface (cf. USSR InventorsCertificate No. 240,047). In such aerials, radiators in each tier aredivided into two groups so that radiators of one group are arrangedbetween those of the other group and are energized, within each group,from a power source with currents of an equal amplitude and phase. Thedifference between the phases of the currents energizing the abovegroups is that of an angle of The radiation pattern of each grouppractically does not depend upon the geometry of a radiator, includingits length, the shape of its face end surfaces and the width of aclearance between the radiator and the support. When radiators areenergized with cophasal currents and are arranged equidistantly aroundthe support, the radiation pattern of the group is determined by theratio (D/lll and by a number of radiators in a group.

Hence, when adjusting radiators to the power line by way of changingtheir geometry, one need not take into consideration the form of theradiation pattern of the group; in this respect, aerials of this typecompare favorably with those with horizontal-tangential radiators.

Unlike aerials with horizontal-tangential radiators, aerials withradially oriented radiators may have a radiation pattern in thehorizontal plane extremely close to an ideal circle, provided that thereis a required number of radiators in the groups and that these areenergized in the above-mentioned manner with currents of equalamplitudes, the phases of the currents energizing different groups beingdisplaced by an angle of 90.

It is difficult, however, to obtain a non-directional radiation patternin the horizontal plane with the use of such aerials because ofinter-coupling between radiators of different groups which are arrangedclose to each other and are energized with non-cophasal currents; thisaccounts for a difference between their input impedances. As a result,the power is divided between the radiator groups in an unforseen manner,adjustment of the aerial is hampered, and its electrical characteristicsare impaired in comparison with the estimated ones.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a transmittingstacked aerial with radially oriented radiators, in which inter-couplingbetween adjacent radiators in neighboring tiers, which are energizedwith noncophasal currents, is obviated by arranging the radiators aroundthe support and energizing them in such a way that the emfs induced in agiven radiator by said currents in radiators of the neighboring tiersare mutually cancelled.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a transmittingstacked aerial capable of eliminating troughs in its vertical planeradiation pattern.

In view of the above objects, in a transmitting stacked aerial, thereofeach main tier comprises a preset number of radiators energized from apower source, mounted upon a current-conducting cylindrical support andradially oriented with regard to its surface, the radiators beingenergized with currents displaced in phase by 90 from tier to tier, theradiators in each tier are arranged, according to the invention,equidistantly along at least some portion of the periphery of thecross-section of the support and are offset in azimuth relative to therespective radiators of an adjacent tier by a'preset angle equal to(ill/4), where this an angle between adjacent radiators in a tier, whichis less than an angle B =[(2)t,,/D) 57.31", where D is a diameter of thesupport, and A is the mid-band wavelength, the radiators being turned inone direction from tier to tier and being inter-connected by means ofradio frequency lines of an equal length to one point of connection, dueto which radiators in each tier are energized with cophasal currents,said displacement in phase being effected from tier to tier inconsecutive order in one direction.

Mounting an aerial upon supports rising high above the Earths surfacebrings about the necessity of eliminating troughs in the vertical planeradiation pattern thereof. This may be attaned by providing the proposedaerial with an additional tier of additional radiators, keeping thenumber of main tiers even. Said additional tier is arranged in themiddle of the radiating portion of the aerial symmetrically to the firstand last main tiers. This additional tier has a non-directionalradiation pattern in the horizontal plane. Troughs in the vertical planeradiation pattern are eliminated by means of introducing a phasedifference between the radiation field of the additional tier withrespect to that of all the main tiers. In this additional tier,radiators are arranged equidistantly along the periphery of thecross-section of the support and are radially oriented relative to itssurface, an angle 2 between adjacent additional radiators being somewhatless than an angle 'y= (h /2 D), the radiators themselves, which areoffset in azimuth with respect to one another by an angle of 4 2, beingelectrically connected by means of radio frequency lines to one point ofconnection, due to which these radiators are energized withcophasalcurrents, the power source being connected to points ofconnection of the additional tier in such a way that it ensures adisplacement in phase of the currents energizing adjacent additionalradiators in the additional tier by an angle of 90, said displacement inphase being effected in consecutive order from radiator to radiator sothat the direction of this displacement in phase from radiator toradiator in the additional tier in the chosen direction of the turn ofadjacent main tiers coincides with that of the phase displacement ofradiators in the main tiers, following the course of the turn thereoffrom one main tier to another.

In order to obtain a circular radiation pattern in the horizontal plane,a preset portion of the periphery of the cross-section of the supportmay be determined by the entire periphery of the cross-section of thesupport and be equal to 360.

In some cases, when each tier of the aerial comprises a limited numberof radiators, it may be necessary to improve its partial radiationpattern so as to reduce the non-uniformity of the radiationcharacteristic of the entire aerial.

For this purpose, passive dipoles are arranged in each main tier of theproposed aerial in immediate proximity to the radiators thereof; thenumber of the passive dipoles is equal to that of the radiators; theyare mounted upon the aerial s support and are radially oriented relativeto the surface thereof.

In all the embodiments of the aerial disclosed herein, the emfs inducedin any given radiator of a given main tier, which is not the first orlast, by currents of radiators of adjacent main thiers are cancelledbecause the currents energizing them are in anti-phase. As a result, theinput impedances of radiators of the main tiers are equal and the powerfed to the aerial is divided among them in equal amounts. In addition,the elimination of the effect of intercoupling between radiators ofadjacent tiers ensures feeding of the aerials radiators in accordancewith a required current distribution, which makes it possible to obtainthe aerial characteristics that are very close to the estimated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be explained ingreater detail with reference to the specific embodiments thereof in theform of directional and non-directional aerials, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein;

FIG. 1 is a plan view of tiers with radiators of a transmitting stackedaerial, in accordance with the invention, together with a power source;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of one of the aerial s tiers with radiators ofFIG. 1 with a cross-section of the support;

FIG. 3 is a general view of the radiating portion of another embodimentof the proposed transmitting stacked aerial;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of one of the aerials tiers with radiators of FIG.3 with a cross-section of the support;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the serials tiers of FIG. 3 and of the phase ofthe current energizing them;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of several of the aerials tiers with radiators ofFIG. 3 with a power source;

FIG. 7 is a view of additional tier of additional radiators of theaerial of FIG. 3 with a cross-section of the support;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of tiers with radiators of a transmitting stackedaerial, in accordance with the invention, having a directional radiationpattern, together with a power source;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of main tiers with radiators and of an additionaltier with additional radiators of a transmitting stacked aerial, inaccordance with the invention, with a power source;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of tiers of the proposed aerial with radiatorsand passive dipoles in the tiers;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of one tier of the aerial of FIG. I0 with part ofthe cross-section of the support;

FIG. 12 is a radiation pattern in the horizontal plane of a main tier ofthe aerial of FIGS. 1 and 3;

FIG. 13 is a radiation pattern of the aerial of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a radiation pattern of the aerial of FIG. 3;

FIG. is a radiation pattern of the aerial of FIG. 8;

FIG. 16 is a radiation pattern of the aerial of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An example of anon-directional TV aerial, according to the present invention, isoffered by an aerial for TV Band II (76 100 MHz).

According to the'invention, the aerial is arranged around acurrent-conducting cylindrical support 1 (FIG. 1) with a diameter D 0.7A, ()t being the midband wavelength) and comprises twelve tiers 2through 13 of radiators 14 (three in each tier) mounted upon the support1 and radially oriented relative to the surface thereof. Here, as in allother embodiments, tiers are counted from the uppermost one down. Anumber of radiators in a tier is determined specifically for eachindividual embodiment, depending upon a ratio between a perimeter of theaerials support and the wave length, as well as limitations imposed uponthe nonuniformity of the radiation pattern.

In the general case, the cross-section area of the support may besufficiently large, so as to secure the required stiffness of thestructure as a whole, on the one hand, and to accommodate, if necessary,all the feedline elements, ladders and lifts inside it, on the other.The arrangement of the above-listed components and units of the aerialstructure inside the support substantially facilitates servicing andimproves the reliability of the structure.

In each tier 2 through 13, the radiators 14 are arranged equidistantly,at least within part of the periphcry of the cross-section of thesupport 1. In the present embodiment, these are arranged throughout theentire periphery, i.e. cover 360. Radiators in each tier 2 through 13are offset in azimuth relative to respective radiators of an adjacenttier by an angle (ill/4), where Ill (FIG. 2) is an angle betweenadjacent radiators 14 of the same tier. Said angle 104 is less than anangle B [(2 )t /D) 57.31"; in the present embodiment, the angle [3 =l60, and the angle i1! is chosen to be equal to I".

The tiers 2 through 13 (FIG. 1) are consecutively turned in onedirection with respect to one another. In the present embodiment, eachlower tier is turned clockwise with respect to the upper one, if we takea top view of the aerial. The radiators 14 of each tier 2 through 13 areelectrically interconnected by radio frequency lines 15 of an equallength to one point of connection 16; as a result, radiators in eachtier are energized with cophasal currents. Said points of connection 16are electrically coupled to a power source 17 of the radiators 14 byradio frequency lines 18 through 21 which are connected to the powersource 17 at an outlet 22.

The present disclosure does not deal with adjustment units arranged atpoints of connection 22 and 16, which adjust the radio frequency lines18 through 21 with the power source 17, on the one hand, and with theradio frequency lines 15, on the other, as said adjusting units have nobearing upon the present invention and are well known to those in theart.

The same applies to a description of the method of running andconnecting radio frequency lines. In the present example, these linesdiffer in their electric length by )t,,/4, A,,/2 and AM, respectively,thereby the phase of the currents energizing radiators 14 of adjacenttiers is consecutively changed by in one direction. Said phasedisplacement of currents energizing radiators of adjacent tiers may beobtained in the aerial of FIG. 1 not only due to the employment of radiofrequency lines of a different length, but also as a result of usingother known phase shifters.

The radiator 14 (FIG. 2) is an assymmetrical band quarter-wave dipolemade as a hollow metal cylinder 23 whose outer face end is covered by alid 24 and which is fastened to the support 1 by means of a metal flange25 and an insulator 26. The insulator 26 serves to protect it fromatmospheric precipitation. Instead of the above radiator, the aerial mayemploy, according to FIG. 1 and 2, other known asymmetrical radiators(monopoles).

An example of the proposed aerial with an additional tier of additionalradiators for non-directional radiation is furnished by an aerial for TVBand III (174-230 MHZ).

The aerial is arranged around a cylindrical currentconducting support 27(FIG. 3) with a diameter D 1.17 A and comprises an even number, in thepresent example, 16, main tiers 28 through 43 of radiators 44 (four ineach tier) and one additional tier 45 of additional radiators 46. Theangle ,B= [(2k /D) 57.3] 98. The angle 1!; (FIG. 4) between adjacentradiators 44 in each main tier 28 through 43 is to be less than theangle ,8. In the present example, tl1=90, and said radiators in the maintiers are arranged equidistantly around the entire periphery of thecross-section of the support, i.e. cover 360.

The radiators 44 (FIG. 5) of each main tier 28 through 43 are offset inazimuth relative to respective radiators in adjacent tiers by an angle(til/4). In our example, (111/4) 22.5. The radiators 44 (FIG. 6) of eachmain tier 28 through 43 (FIG. 3) are electrically interconnected byfirst radio frequency lines 47 (FIG. 6) of an equal length to one pointof connection 48, which makes for energizing the radiators in each maintier with cophasal currents.

Said points of connection 48 are electrically connected to a powersource 49 through radio frequency lines 50 through 53. In the presentexample, these lines differ in their electrical length by )t,,/4, A /2and %A,,, respectively, thereby the phase of the currents energizingradiators of adjacent tiers is displaced from tier to tier by 90 in onedirection.

As it has been stated above, in order to fill troughs in the radiationpattern of the aerial in the vertical plane, provision is made for anadditional tier 45 of additional radiators 46, which is arranged in themiddle of the radiating portion of the aerial symmetrically with thefirst tier 28 (FIGS. 3 and 5) and the last tier 43. The additionalradiators 46 (FIG. 7) are arranged equidistantly along the periphery ofthe cross-section of the support 27 and are radially oriented relativeto the surface thereof. An angle 2 between adjacent additional radiators46 also is to be less than an angle 'y [(ZLJ/D 57.3], and with anequidistant arrangement of the radiators 44 (FIG. 5) along the entireperiphery of the cross-section of the support 27, this angle y is fourtimes less than the angle ill between adjacent radiators 44. In thepresent example, 2 22.5. The additional radiators 46, which are offsetin azimuth relative to one another by an angle 42, are electricallyinterconnected by second radio frequency lines 54 of an equal length toone point of connection 55, thereby these radiators are energized withcophasal currents. Said points of connection 55 (FIG. 6) areelectrically connected to the power source 49 by radio frequency lines56 through 59 at a point of connection 60. Also connected to said pointof connection 60 are the radio frequency lines 50 through 53. In thepresent example, the radio frequency lines 56 through 59 differ in theirelectrical length by )t /4, )t /2 and 4A,. Thus, the currents energizingadjacent additional radiators 46 (FIG. 5) of the additional tier 45 aredisplaced in phase by 90, said phase displacement being effected inconsecutive order from radiator to radiator so that the direction of thephase displacement from radiator to radiator of the additional tier 45follows the chosen direction of the turn of the main tiers 28 through 43and coincides with that of the phase displacement of the currentsenergizing radiators 44 from tier to tier following the turn thereof.

The required phase displacement of the radiation field of the additionaltier 46 with respect to the radiation field produced by all the maintiers 28 through 43 is attained due to the fact that electrical lengthsof the radio frequency lines 50 through 53 (FIG. 6) differ in thepresent example from respective lengths of the radio frequency lines 56through 59 by AJ 12.

Said required phase displacements of currents energizing the radiators44 and the additional radiators 46 may be obtained not only due to theemployment of radio frequency lines of different lengths, but alsothrough using other known phase shifters.

The radiator 44 (FIG. 4) and the additional radiator 46 (FIG. 7) aremade in an analogous manner as the radiator 14 (FIG. 2), i.e., as thehollow metal cylinder 23 (FIGS. 4 and 7) with the lid 24, which isfastened to the support 27 by means of the metal flange 25 and theinsulator 26.

A distance between the main tiers 28 through 43 is selected dependingupon requirements imposed upon the radiation pattern of the aerial inthe vertical plane, taking into account the ratio (D/X and the number ofthe main radiators 44 in each tier. As regards the aerial in question,in it said distance between the main tiers 28 through 43 is roughlyequal to 0.45 )t The distance between the additional tier 45 and theadjacent main tiers 35 and 36 maybe somewhat increased; in the aerialunder review, this distance equals 0.75 A

An example of an aerial with a directional radiation pattern isfurnished by an aerial consisting of four tiers 61 through 64 (FIG. 8)mounted upon a cylindrical support 65 with a diameter D 1.17 A Each tier61 through 64 of the given aerial comprises three radiators 66 which,according to the invention, are arranged equidistantly along a portionof the periphery of the cross-section of the support 65, within a sectorof less than 360, and are energized with currents having differentphases. In this embodiment, the sector of the equidistant arrangement ofthe radiators 66 equals 180.

The angle of the consecutive offset in azimuth of the radiators 66 fromthe upper tier 61 to the lower tier 64 is (Ill/4) 22.5", where 1; is anangle between adjacent radiators, with phases of the energizing currentconsecutively increasing by 90.

The power circuit of this aerial, the embodiment thereof and thestructure of the radiator are analogous to those of the aerial in FIG.1.

Reference numeral 67 in FIG. 8 indicates radio frequency lines of anequal length connecting the radiators 66 of each tier to one point ofconnection 68 which is connected, by means of radio frequency lines 69through 72 and via point of connection 73, to a power source 74. Thelines 69 through 72 differ in their length by (h /4), (A /2) and A M.

An embodiment of an aerial with a directional radiation pattern and withan additional tier of additional radiators is illustrated in FIG. 9. Theaerial comprises eight main tiers 75 through 82 of radiators 83 and oneadditional tier 84 of additional radiators 85 mounted upon acurrent-conducting cylindrical support 86 with a diameter D 1.17 A

Each main tier 75 through 82 comprises three radiators 83 arrangedequidistantly along a portion of the periphery of the cross-section ofthe support 86, which is less than 360, and are energized with currentsof different phases. In the present example, this portion of theperiphery equals 180. The angle of the consecutive offset in azimuth ofthe radiators 83 from the upper tier 75 to the lower tier 82, (41/4)22.5, whereas the phases of the current energizing them increase inconsecutive order by an angle of The additional tier 84 comprisessixteen additional radiators 85. The structure and arrangement of saidadditional tier 84, the power circuit of the aerial and its embodimentand the structure of the radiator are analogous to those of the aerialin FIG. 3. The reference numerals 87 and 88 indicate radio frequencylines of an equal length connecting the radiators 83 and the additionalradiators 85, respectively, to one of points of connection 89 and 90,respectively, which are coupled, by means of radio frequency lines 91through 95 and via a point of connection 96, to a power source 97. Forgreater clarity, only one point of connection of four radiators 85 inthe ad ditional tier 84 is shown.

An example of an aerial with passive dipoles in each tier for obtaininga non-directional radiation pattern in the horizontal plane is shown inFIG. 10.

The frequency range of this aerial is 88 to I08 MHz.

The aerial is mounted upon a current-conducting cylindrical support 98with a diameter D 0. l4 A, and comprises eight tiers 99 through 106 ofradiators 107 and passive dipoles 108. In the present example, theradiators 107 are arranged equidistantly along the entire periphery ofthe cross-section of the support 98. The power circuit of the aerialunder review, the embodiment thereof and the structure of the radiatorare analogous to those of the aerial in FIG. 1. The reference numeral109 indicates radio frequency lines of an equal length connecting theradiators 107 to one point of connection 110, which are coupled bymeansof radio frequency lines 111 through 114 and via a point ofconnection 115 to a power source 116.

The angle '11 (FIG. 11) between the radiators 107 is equal to In eachtier, these radiators are energized with cophasal currents. In addition,each tier of the aerial comprises two (which is the number of radiators)passive dipoles 108 which are arranged in immediate proximity to theradiators 107 (FIG. 18) and equidistantly along the periphery of thecross-section of the support 98 and which are offset in azimuth relativeto the radiators 107 by an angle of 45. The angle of displacement of theradiators 107 and the passive dipoles 108 following a consecutive turnfrom tier to tier, (Ill/4) 45, whereas the phases of the energizingcurrent are changed inconsecutive order by 90. The angle of displacementof the passive dipoles 108 with respect to the radiators 107 may assumeother values, depending upon the ratio D/A and an angle I; betweenradiators in a tier.

The radiator 107 (FIG. 11) is analogous to the radia tor 14 (FIG. 2) andis made as the hollow metal cylinder 23 (FIG. 11) with the lid 24,fastened to the support 98 by means of the metal flange 25 and theinsulator 26. The passive dipole 108 in the present example is made as ahollow metal cylinder 117 with a length of close to ).,,/4 covered atits outer face end by a lid 118. Said cylinder 117 is electricallyconnected to the support 98. Used instead of the above-listed passivedipole may be other assymmetrical radiators electrically connected tothe support.

Examples of embodiments of an aerial with a nondirectional radiationpattern in the horizontal plane, with passive dipoles in the main tiersand an additional tier of additional radiators; of an aerial with adirectional radiation pattern in the horizontal plane with passivedipoles in the main tiers and an additional tier of additional radiatorsare not given, since it is easy, with the aid of those contained in thepresent disclosure, to build such aerials, in accordance with theinvention.

In discussing the operating principle of the proposed aerial illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 3, we shall only consider radiation patterns of one tier.

If the angle ill between adjacent radiators 14, 44 of the main tier 2,28 is selected to be less than an angle B [(ah lD) 5.73] the radiationpattern of one tier F in the horizontal plane (FIG. 12) is described,with a high degree of accuracy, by the function where qb is the varyingangle in. the azimuthal plane.

As the adjacent tier 3, 29 is offset in azimuth by an angle ill/4 andits current phase is displaced by an angle of 90, the radiation patternof this tier is described as follows: g2]() J 005 14 1 )l The resultantradiation pattern of both tiers is as fol- QW F 1?) 101 F205). 7,?" g,which. q pond to a circular radiation pattern 7 Suppose we divide theentire aerial (FIG. 1) into pairs of adjacent tiers; we shall note,then, that their fields add together and that the radiationpattern ofthe entire aerial is also circular.

The radiation pattern (FIG. 13) of the aerial of FIG. I in the mid-bandfrequency is uniform within :1.5 dB. In the frequency rangecorresponding to TV Band 11 (i0. l5 A the radiation pattern is uniformwithin :l .8 dB.

The production of a non-directional radiation pattern by the additionaltier 45 (FIGS. 3 and may be explained in a similar way. Its additionalradiators 46 are energized with a phase of 0 and 180 and form radiationpatterns which are described as follows:

The radiation pattern of the radiators 46 that are energized with aphase of 90 and 270 is displaced in space by an angle (ill/4) 22.5.Taking into account the fact that the phase of the fields radiated byadjacent additional radiators 46 is shifted through 90, the overallradiation pattern of the additional tier 45 also turns out to benon-directional.

In order to fill the zeros in the radiation pattern in the verticalplane, the additional tier 45 of the aerial under review is additionallydisplaced in phase by 30. A similar effect may be obtained byrespectively shifting the additional radiators 46 of the additional tier45 through an appropriate angle in azimuth relative to the remainingradiators.

The aerial has additional provisions for compensating the radiationcharacteristic in the vertical plane. It is seen from FIGS. 3 and 5 thatthe extreme main tiers 28 and 43 in which the radiators 44 are energizedwith a phase of 0 are located farther from the additional tier 45 thanthe main tiers 29 and 42 whose radiators 44 are energized with phases of270 and 90.

This may somewhat raise the non-uniformity of the radiation pattern inthe horizontal plane, which is prevented by additionally shifting theradiators 44 of the main tiers 28, 35, 36 and 43 by an angle A 4. Thedirection of the additional shift of the radiators 44 of theabove-listed main tiers are shown in FIG. 5. The experimental radiationpattern of the aerial shown in FIG. 3 in the midband frequency (FIG. 14)is uniform within 1t] .3 dB. In the frequency range of TV Band III (1014M), the radiation pattern is uniform within 11.8 dB.

The directional radiation pattern shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is marked bythe fact that the portion of the periphery of the cross-section of thesupports and 86, respectively, placed equidistantly within which in themain tiers 61 through 64 and through 82 are the radiators 66 and 83, isless than 360.

The radiation pattern of the aerial shown in FIG. 8 in the mid-bandfrequency range (FIG. 15) is uniform in the serviceable sector, which isclose to 180, within $1.5 dB, and within $2.2 dB in the frequency rangeof 10.15.

The principle of forming the radiation pattern of the aerial in FIG. 10with the radiators 107 and the passive dipoles 108 is analogous to thatof FIGS. 1 and 3.

The radiation pattern of the aerial in the mid-band frequency (FIG. 16)is uniform within 120.8 dB. At the extreme frequencies of the range of10.1 h the radiation pattern is uniform within $1.1 dB.

In contrast to the currently employed transmitting stacked aerials, inthe proposed aerial (owing to the fact that its tiers are turned inconsecutive order by an angle 111/4 and that'radiators of each next tierare fed with currents displaced in phase by it is possible tosubstantially reduce the intercoupling between the tiers of theradiators. As a result, the radiation pattern obtained is close to therequired one. Experimental data obtained with the use of the proposedaerial with different ratios (D/k in the operating frequency rangecorroborate the assertion that the given aerial is capable of producingradiation patterns which are less nonuniform than those of the existingaerials.

Equidistant distribution of radiators in the tiers with an angle betweenadjacent radiators determined by the ratio D/Ao enables the proposedaerial to operate on supports of any diameter, with an optimum number ofradiators in the tiers.

Energizing radiators in the tiers with cophasal currents makes theradiation pattern practically independent of the geometry of theradiators, which substantially facilitates the adjustment of the aerial.

The use of radially oriented radiators reduces wind loads and accountsfor the simplicity of design; this makes for a simple and effectiveprotection of their input from the atmospheric effects, improvesconditions for operation, servicing and repair and considerably raisesthe reliability of the aerial.

What is claimed is:

l. A transmitting stacked aerial comprising:

a current-conducting cylindrical support;

several tiers of radiators mounted on said support and radially orientedwith respect to the surface thereof;

each said tier comprising a preset number of said radiators arrangedequidistantly within at least some portion of the periphery of thecross-section of said support;

said radiators of each said tier offset in azimuth relative to therespective radiators of the adjacent tier by a preset angle;

said angle of turn of the adjacent tiers being equal to ill/4, where ml:is an angle between adjacent radiators in the same tier, the turn beingeffected from tier to tier inone direction;

said angle ill between adjacent radiators in the same tier being lessthan an angle ,8 [(ZMD) 57.3], where D is the diameter of said support,and A is the mid-band wavelength: radio frequency lines of an equallength electrically interconnecting said radiators of each tier to onepoint of connection, which provides for energizing the radiators in eachtier with cophasal currents; 9

a power source of said radiators electrically connected to said pointsof connection so that the currents energizing the radiators of adjacenttiers are displaced in phase by 90, said displacement in phase beingeffected from tier to tier in one direction.

2. A transmitting stacked aerial comprising:

a current-conducting cylindrical support;

an even number of main tiers of radiators mounted upon said support andradially oriented with respect to the surface thereof;

each said tier comprising a preset number of said radiators arrangedequidistantly within at least some portion of the periphery of thecross-section of said support;

said radiators of each said tier being offset in azimuth relative to therespective radiators of the adjacent tier by a preset angle;

said angle of turn between adjacent tiers equal to til/4,

where t]: is an angle between adjacent radiators in the same tier, theturn from tier to tier being effected in one direction; said angle ll!between adjacent radiators in the same tier being less than an angle B[(ZA /D) 57.3], where D is the diameter of said support, and A, is themid-band wavelength;

one additional tier of additional radiators designed to eliminatetroughs in the radiation pattern in the vertical plane. arranged in themiddle of the radiating portion of the aerial symmetrically with regardto the first and last main tiers;

additional radiators arranged equidistantly along the periphery of thecross-section of said support and radially oriented relative to itssurface, an angle 2 between adjacent additional radiators being lessthan an angle first radio frequency lines of an equal lengthelectrically interconnecting said radiators of each main tier to onepoint of connection, which makes for energizing the radiators in eachmain tier with cophasal currents;

second radio frequency lines of an equal length electricallyinterconnecting the additional radiators, which are offset in azimuthrelative to one another by an angle of 4 E, to one point of connection,which ensures energizing these radiators with cophasal currents;

a power source of said main radiators and additional radiatorselectrically connected with said points of connection of the main tiersso that the currents energizing the main radiators in adjacent tiers aredisplaced in phase by said phase displacement being effected inconsecutive order from tier to tier in one direction;

said power source electrically connected to said points of connection ofthe additional tier so that the currents energizing adjacent additionalradiators are displaced in phase by 90, said phase displacement beingeffected in consecutive order from radiator to radiator so that thedirection of that phase displacement from radiator to radiator of theadditional tier in the direction of the selected turn of adjacent maintiers coincides with that of the phase displacement of the mainradiators of the main tiers from tier to tier following the turnthereof.

3. A transmitting stacked aerial, as claimed in claim 1, wherein apreset portion of the periphery of the cross-section of the support isdetermined by the entire perimeter of that cross-section of the supportand is equal to 360.

4. A transmitting stacked aerial, as claimed in claim 2, wherein apreset portion of the periphery of the cross-section of the support isdetermined by the entire perimeter of that cross-section of the supportand is equal to 360, said angle 2 between adjacent additional radiatorsbeing four times less than said angle 1b.

5. A transmitting stacked aerial, as claimed in claim 1, whereinarranged in immediate proximity to said radiators in each said tier arepassive dipoles whose number is equal to that of the radiators and whichare mounted u on said support and are radially oriented with regar tothe surface thereof.

6. A transmitting stacked aerial, as claimed in claim 2, whereinarranged in immediate proximity to the main radiators in each main tierare passive dipoles whose number is equal to that of the radiators andwhich are mounted upon said support and are radially oriented withregard to the surface thereof.

7. A transmitting stacked aerial, as claimed in claim 3, whereinarranged in immediate proximity to said radiators in each said tier arepassive dipoles whose number is equal to that of the radiators and whichare mounted u on said support and are radially oriented with regar tothe surface thereof.

8. A transmitting stacked aerial, as claimed in claim 4, whereinarranged in immediate proximity to the main radiators in each train tierare passive dipoles whose number is equal to that of the radiators andwhich are mounted upon said support and are radially oriented withregard to the surface thereof.

1. A transmitting stacked aerial comprising: a current-conductingcylindrical support; several tiers of radiators mounted on said supportand radially oriented with respect to the surface thereof; each saidtier comprising a preset number of said radiators arranged equidistantlywithin at least some portion of the periphery of the cross-section ofsaid support; said radiators of each said tier offset in azimuthrelative to the respective radiators of the adjacent tier by a presetangle; said angle of turn of the adjacent tiers being equal to psi /4,where psi is an angle between adjacent radiators in the same tier, theturn being effected from tier to tier inone direction; said angle psibetween adjacent radiators in the same tier being less than an angleBeta ((2 lambda o/D) . 57.3)*, where D is the diameter of said support,and lambda o is the mid-band wavelength: radio frequency lines of anequal length electrically interconnecting said radiators of each tier toone point of connection, which provides for energizing the radiators ineach tier with cophasal currents; 9 a power source of said radiatorselectrically connected to said points of connection so that the currEntsenergizing the radiators of adjacent tiers are displaced in phase by90*, said displacement in phase being effected from tier to tier in onedirection.
 2. A transmitting stacked aerial comprising: acurrent-conducting cylindrical support; an even number of main tiers ofradiators mounted upon said support and radially oriented with respectto the surface thereof; each said tier comprising a preset number ofsaid radiators arranged equidistantly within at least some portion ofthe periphery of the cross-section of said support; said radiators ofeach said tier being offset in azimuth relative to the respectiveradiators of the adjacent tier by a preset angle; said angle of turnbetween adjacent tiers equal to psi /4, where psi is an angle betweenadjacent radiators in the same tier, the turn from tier to tier beingeffected in one direction; said angle psi between adjacent radiators inthe same tier being less than an angle Beta ((2 lambda o/D) . 57.3)*,where D is the diameter of said support, and lambda o is the mid-bandwavelength; one additional tier of additional radiators designed toeliminate troughs in the radiation pattern in the vertical plane,arranged in the middle of the radiating portion of the aerialsymmetrically with regard to the first and last main tiers; additionalradiators arranged equidistantly along the periphery of thecross-section of said support and radially oriented relative to itssurface, an angle Sigma between adjacent additional radiators being lessthan an angle gamma (( lambda o/2D) . 57.3)* first radio frequency linesof an equal length electrically interconnecting said radiators of eachmain tier to one point of connection, which makes for energizing theradiators in each main tier with cophasal currents; second radiofrequency lines of an equal length electrically interconnecting theadditional radiators, which are offset in azimuth relative to oneanother by an angle of 4 Sigma , to one point of connection, whichensures energizing these radiators with cophasal currents; a powersource of said main radiators and additional radiators electricallyconnected with said points of connection of the main tiers so that thecurrents energizing the main radiators in adjacent tiers are displacedin phase by 90*, said phase displacement being effected in consecutiveorder from tier to tier in one direction; said power source electricallyconnected to said points of connection of the additional tier so thatthe currents energizing adjacent additional radiators are displaced inphase by 90*, said phase displacement being effected in consecutiveorder from radiator to radiator so that the direction of that phasedisplacement from radiator to radiator of the additional tier in thedirection of the selected turn of adjacent main tiers coincides withthat of the phase displacement of the main radiators of the main tiersfrom tier to tier following the turn thereof.
 3. A transmitting stackedaerial, as claimed in claim 1, wherein a preset portion of the peripheryof the cross-section of the support is determined by the entireperimeter of that cross-section of the support and is equal to 360*. 4.A transmitting stacked aerial, as claimed in claim 2, wherein a presetportion of the periphery of the cross-section of the support isdetermined by the entire perimeter of that cross-section of the supportand is equal to 360*, said angle Sigma between adjacent additionalradiators being four times less than said angle psi .
 5. A transmittingstacked aerial, as claimed in claim 1, wherein arranged in immediateproximity to said radiators in each said tier are passive dipoles whosenumber is equal to that of the radiators and which are mounted upon saidsupport and are radially oriented with regard to the surface thereof. 6.A transmiTting stacked aerial, as claimed in claim 2, wherein arrangedin immediate proximity to the main radiators in each main tier arepassive dipoles whose number is equal to that of the radiators and whichare mounted upon said support and are radially oriented with regard tothe surface thereof.
 7. A transmitting stacked aerial, as claimed inclaim 3, wherein arranged in immediate proximity to said radiators ineach said tier are passive dipoles whose number is equal to that of theradiators and which are mounted upon said support and are radiallyoriented with regard to the surface thereof.
 8. A transmitting stackedaerial, as claimed in claim 4, wherein arranged in immediate proximityto the main radiators in each train tier are passive dipoles whosenumber is equal to that of the radiators and which are mounted upon saidsupport and are radially oriented with regard to the surface thereof.